Petition calls out restaurant execs on 'Obamacare' [Google+ Hangout]

Outrageous fast-food menu items

Tiffany Hsu

The same day that Olive Garden parent Darden Restaurants Inc. said it will not bump down existing full-time workers to part-time status to skirt healthcare costs, a petition calling on the company’s chief executive to clarify his position is gaining steam.

The petition also targets Zane Tankel, chief executive of a major Applebee’s franchisee, and Papa John’s Chief Executive John Schnatter. Both have indicated that healthcare reform, often called “Obamacare” for its main cheerleader, will put a severe squeeze on their margins.

“Keep this in mind: If your employees don’t have health care in order to get well when they do get sick, those same employees come to work sick and can pass their illnesses onto us as they prepare or serve our food,” according to the petition.